Gaming machine that changes a displayed view of symbols

ABSTRACT

A method is described for use with a gaming machine that is arranged to provide a spinning reel game in which symbols are spun up on a plurality of reels, each reel having an associated sequence of symbols, and an award is awarded if a winning combination occurs. The method includes spinning the reels to provide a resultant reel configuration and displaying a symbol array from the resultant reel position in a reel display portion of a display. The award is awarded if the winning combination occurs in the reel display portion. The method includes replacing the displayed symbol array in the reel display portion with a further symbol array from the resultant reel configuration. The method may include a simulation of the symbol array shattering.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to AustralianProvisional Patent Application No. 2008900683, filed on Feb. 13, 2008,entitled “A Gaming Machine That Changes A Displayed View Of Symbols”,which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to gaming machines and methodsof gaming. A particular embodiment of the present invention relates togaming machines that provide a spinning reel game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the increase of gambling at gaming venues has come increasedcompetition between gaming venues to obtain a larger share of the totalgambling spend. Gaming venue operators have therefore continuouslylooked for new variations and types of games in order to attract bothnew and return customers to their venues.

In response to this need, suppliers of gaming devices and systems haveattempted to provide the sought-after variety, while still developinggames that comply with the relevant regulations in the jurisdiction ofthe gaming venue operator. Suppliers of gaming devices therefore arefaced with restrictions on the types of games and gaming machines thatare allowable, both in terms of the prevailing regulations and in termsof providing a return on investment to the gaming venue operators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a methodfor use with a gaming machine that is arranged to provide a spinningreel game in which symbols are spun up on a plurality of reels, eachreel having an associated sequence of symbols, and an award is awardedif a winning combination occurs, the method including:

spinning the reels to provide a resultant reel configuration;

displaying a symbol array from the resultant reel position in a reeldisplay portion of a display, wherein the award is awarded if thewinning combination occurs in the reel display portion; and

replacing the displayed symbol array in the reel display portion with afurther symbol array from the resultant reel configuration.

The method may include checking whether one or more eligibility criteriaare satisfied, wherein said replacing of the symbol array is contingenton the satisfaction of the eligibility criteria.

The method may include simulating shattering of the symbol arraycurrently displayed in the reel display portion.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a gamingmachine having a display and a game controller arranged to controlimages of symbols displayed on the display, the game controller beingarranged to provide a spinning reel game in which symbols are spun up ona plurality of reels, each reel having an associated sequence ofsymbols, and to award an award if a winning combination occurs, the gamecontroller arranged to:

spin the reels to provide a resultant reel configuration;

display a symbol array from the resultant reel position in a reeldisplay portion of the display, wherein the award is awarded if thewinning combination occurs in the reel display portion; and

replace the displayed symbol array in the reel display portion with afurther symbol array from the resultant reel configuration.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided acomputer program product including machine-readable program coderecorded on a machine-readable recording medium, for controlling theoperation of a data processing apparatus on which the program codeexecutes to perform a method for use with a gaming machine that isarranged to provide a spinning reel game in which symbols are spun up ona plurality of reels, each reel having an associated sequence ofsymbols, and an award is awarded if a winning combination occurs, themethod including:

spinning the reels to provide a resultant reel configuration;

displaying a symbol array from the resultant reel position in a reeldisplay portion of a display, wherein the award is awarded if thewinning combination occurs in the reel display portion; and

replacing the displayed symbol array in the reel display portion with afurther symbol array from the resultant reel configuration.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided acomputer program including machine-readable program code for controllingthe operation of a data processing apparatus on which the program codeexecutes to perform a method for use with a gaming machine that isarranged to provide a spinning reel game in which symbols are spun up ona plurality of reels, each reel having an associated sequence ofsymbols, and an award is awarded if a winning combination occurs, themethod including:

spinning the reels to provide a resultant reel configuration;

displaying a symbol array from the resultant reel position in a reeldisplay portion of a display, wherein the award is awarded if thewinning combination occurs in the reel display portion; and

replacing the displayed symbol array in the reel display portion with afurther symbol array from the resultant reel configuration.

Further aspects of the present invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, which is given by way of example and withreference to the accompanying drawings. Also, various embodiments of theaspects described in the preceding paragraphs will be apparent from theappended claims, the following description and/or the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: shows schematically a view of a gaming console suitable forimplementing certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2: shows a block diagram of a gaming machine suitable forimplementing certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3: shows a block diagram of components of the memory of the gamingmachine represented in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4: shows schematically a network gaming system suitable forimplementing certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5: shows a flow diagram of a method in which a symbol arraydisplayed in a spinning reel game is replaced by a further symbol array.

FIG. 6: shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method of FIG. 5 inwhich a reel window appears to shatter when replacing the symbol array.

FIG. 7: shows a schematic representation of a symbol array shattering ina spinning reel game.

FIG. 8: shows a schematic representation of the replacement symbol arraymoving into position.

FIG. 9: shows a schematic representation of a further symbol arraydisplayed on the gaming machine after a previously-displayed symbolarray has been shattered.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in thedrawings. It should be understood, however, that the present inventionis not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in theattached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, one example of a gaming consolethat is suitable to implement the present invention is generallyreferenced by arrow 114.

The gaming console 114 includes two displays 106A, 106B on one or bothof which is displayed representations of a game that can be played by aplayer and a bank of buttons 107A and/or a touch screen 107B to enable aplayer to play the game. The displays 106 may be video display units,such as a cathode ray tube screen device, a liquid crystal display,plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visibleportion of an electromechanical device. The display 106B may displayartwork, including for example, pay tables and details of bonus awardsand other information or images relating to the game. In alternativegaming consoles the display 106B may be omitted, optionally replaced bya static display.

A credit input including a coin input 110A and/or bill collector 110Ballows a player to provide credit for wagering and a coin output 111 isprovided for cash payouts from the gaming console 114. A card and/orticket reader 108 and a printer 109 may be provided to provide playertracking, cashless game play or other gaming and non-gaming relatedfunctions.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a gaming machine, generally referencedby arrow 100, suitable for implementing the present invention. Thegaming machine 100 may include the gaming console 114 shown in FIG. 1and accordingly like reference numerals have been used to describe likecomponents in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101, which in theillustrated example includes a computational device 102, which may be amicroprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or some othersuitable device. Instructions and data to control operation of thecomputational device 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in datacommunication with, or forms part of, the computational device 102.Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile andnon-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with suchmemories being collectively represented by the memory 103. Theinstructions to cause the game controller 101 to implement the presentinvention will be stored in the memory 103. The instructions and datafor controlling operation of the computational device 102 may be storedon a computer readable medium from which they are loaded into the gamingmachine memory 103. The instructions and data may be conveyed to thegaming machine by means of a data signal in a transmission channel.Examples of such transmission channels include network connections, theInternet or an intranet and wireless communication channels.

The game controller 101 may include hardware credit meters 104 for thepurposes of regulatory compliance and also include an input/output (I/O)interface 105 for communicating with the peripheral devices of thegaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the peripheraldevices may be intelligent devices with their own memory forinstructions and data.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral devices that communicatewith the controller are the displays 106, bank of buttons/touch screen107, the card and/or ticket reader 108, the printer 109, a bill acceptorand/or coin input 110 and a coin output 111. Additional devices may beincluded as part of the gaming machine 100, or devices omitted based onthe specific implementation.

The bank of buttons 107A and/or touch screen 107B together with one orboth of the displays 106 may provide a user interface 115 through whichthe gaming machine 100 and player communicate. If a card/ticket reader108 is provided, this may also form part of the user interface 115.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card 112, may forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a central controller, server or database and receive dataor commands from the central controller, server or database. The networkcard 112 may also enable communication with a central player account,allowing cashless gaming. One or more of the peripheral devices, forexample the card/ticket reader 108 may be able to communicate directlywith the network card 112. The network card 112 and the I/O interface105 may be suitably implemented as a single machine communicationsinterface.

The game controller 101 may also include a random number generator 113,which generates a series of random numbers that are used by thecomputational device 102 to determine the outcomes of games played onthe gaming machine 100.

The game controller 101 may have distributed hardware and softwarecomponents that communicate with each other directly or through anetwork or other communication channel. The game controller 101 may alsobe located in part or in its entirety remote from the user interface115. Also, the computational device 102 may include a plurality ofdevices, which may be local or remote from each other. Instructions anddata for controlling the operation of the user interface 115 may beconveyed to the user interface 115 by means of a data signal in atransmission channel. The user interface 115 may be a computationaldevice, for example a personal computer, used by a person to play a gameprovided from a remote game controller 101.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary block diagram of the main components of thememory 103. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds instructions anddata related to the execution of game programs and communicationfunctions performed by the computational controller 102. The EPROM 103Bmay be a boot ROM device and/or may contain system and game relatedcode. The mass storage device 103C may be used to store game programs,the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by thecomputational controller 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B orelsewhere.

FIG. 4 shows a gaming system 200 in the form of a network of devices.The gaming system 200 includes a network infrastructure 201, which forexample may be in the form of an Ethernet network. Alternatively, awireless network and/or direct communication channels, or a differenttype of network may be used to link the gaming machines to a server,each other and/or other devices. Gaming consoles 114, shown arranged inthree banks 203 of two gaming consoles 114 in FIG. 4, are connected tothe network infrastructure 201. The gaming consoles 114 may form part orall of a gaming machine 100. Single gaming consoles 114 and banks 203containing three or more gaming devices 202 may also be connected to thenetwork infrastructure 201, which may also include bank controllers,hubs, routers, bridges to other networks and other devices (not shown).

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. Thedisplays 204 may, for example, be associated with a bank 203 of gamingconsoles 114. The displays 204 may be used to display representationsassociated with game play on the gaming devices 114, and/or used todisplay other representations, for example promotional or informationalmaterial.

Servers may also be connected to the network 201. For example, a gameserver 205 may generate game outcomes for games played on one or more ofthe gaming consoles 114, a database management server 206 may manage thestorage of game programs and associated data in a database 206A so thatthey are available for downloading to, or access by, game controllers101, and a jackpot server 207 may control one or more jackpots for thegaming system 200.

Further servers may be provided to assist in the administration of thegaming system 200, including for example a gaming floor managementserver 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses toparticular games. An administrator terminal 210 is provided to allow anadministrator to manage the network 201 and the devices connected to thenetwork. The different servers depicted can be distinct physical serversor logically distinct server processes running on a single physicalserver.

The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, orother local networks, for example a corporate network and/or a wide areanetwork such as the Internet through a firewall 211.

The game described herein relates to a spinning reel game in which aplurality of spinning reels are spun on a gaming machine such as gamingmachine 100. In earlier gaming machines it was typical for the spinningreels to be mechanical reels bearing a sequence of symbols. However, inrecent years it has been common for the reels to be graphic objects thatare rendered to a display such as display 106 and animated to simulatethe rotation of a mechanical reel. In the embodiment described below,the spinning reels are graphic objects that are rendered to a display106.

FIG. 5 shows a process flow diagram of a process performed in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The process may beperformed by the gaming system 200 or on individual gaming machines 114.Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the process mayalso be implemented by other gaming systems.

For game play to commence, the game controller 101 monitors the billacceptor and/or coin input 110 and/or information received by thecard/ticket reader 108 or network card 112 for a deposit of credit andin response causes the hardware meters 104 to increment according to thedenomination of the game. The game controller 101 then monitors the userinterface 107 for the input of a wager.

If there are sufficient credits in the meters 104 to support the wager,a spinning reel game is commenced by the game controller 101.

In method 300 shown in FIG. 5 the plurality of spinning reels are spunin step 302 to define a resultant reel configuration. Each of thespinning reels has an associated sequence of symbols. In one arrangementthe reels all have the same number of symbols. In other arrangementsdifferent reels may have different numbers of symbols in theirassociated sequences.

The resultant reel configuration at the end of step 302 determines therelative positions of the symbols on the plurality of reels throughoutthe associated sequences.

In step 304 a subset of the resultant reel configuration is displayed ina reel display window which is an area of a display 106. In the exampleshown in FIGS. 7-9, the spinning reel game uses 5 reels. The symbolarray displayed in the reel display window shows 3 symbols from each ofthe reels. Thus, in the example the displayed symbol array has 5 columnsand 3 rows. The displayed symbol array is a subset of the resultant reelconfiguration obtained by spinning the reels in step 302.

In step 306 the controlling software running on the gaming machine 100determines whether a winning outcome has occurred in the symbol arraydisplayed in the reel display window. If there is a winning outcome, anaward may be made.

In step 308 the controlling software checks whether the player iseligible to replace the symbol array displayed in the reel displaywindow. Various eligibility criteria may be specified for animplementation of the described game. For example, the player may berequired to place an ante-bet before the reels are spun in step 302 inorder to become eligible to replace the displayed symbol array.Alternatively, the player may be offered the option of purchasing therights to replace the symbol array. Thus, for example, if there has beenno winning outcome in an initial symbol display, the player may opt toreplace the displayed symbol array.

Another eligibility criterion for replacing the symbol array may be theoccurrence of a triggering combination of symbols in the displayedsymbol array. If the triggering combination occurs, then the displayedsymbol array may be automatically replaced. Alternatively, if thetriggering combination has occurred, the player may be given an optionto replace the displayed symbol array.

In a further alternative, the right to replace the symbol array may be arandomly-triggered entitlement, determined, for example by the randomnumber generator 113. A message may be displayed on display 106informing the player that he or she is eligible to replace the currentsymbol array. This listing of eligibility criteria is not exhaustive andother criteria may be also be used in method 300.

If the player is not eligible to replace the symbol array (the No optionof step 308) then ordinary game play continues at step 310. For example,process flow may return to step 302 to initiate a further spin of one ormore of the reels. The player may be required to make a further wager inorder to continue the spinning reel game.

If, however, the player is eligible to replace the symbol array (the Yesoption of step 308) then process flow proceeds to step 3 12.

In step 312, the controlling software removes the symbol array currentlydisplayed in the reel display window and displays a further symbol arraydrawn from the reel configuration that resulted from the reel spin instep 302. Note that the reels have not been re-spun. Instead, a portionof the reel configuration that was not previously visible in the reeldisplay window is moved into view in step 312.

Process flow in method 300 then returns to step 306, which is a check tosee whether a winning outcome has occurred in the further symbol array.

Depending on the eligibility criteria that had been specified, theprocess of replacing the displayed symbol array may continue. Theiterated process of replacing the symbol array may, for example,continue until there are no further symbol arrays that may be drawn fromthe resultant reel configuration of step 302.

It will be understood that various criteria may be specified todetermine whether a winning outcome has occurred. For example, the gamemay specify one or more pay lines that traverse the displayed symbolarray in the reel display window. If a specified combination of symbolsoccurs on one of the specified pay lines, a winning outcome may occur.

There are many ways in which the currently-displayed symbol array may beremoved from the reel display window and replaced with the next symbolarray from the reel configuration. In one embodiment a shattering effectis used. This is illustrated in the flow diagram of FIG. 6. In step 350the controlling software animates the display of the symbol array togive the effect of a glass pane shattering. Pieces of glass may fallaway from the shattered pane, thereby removing the displayed symbolarray. In step 352 the adjacent symbol array from the resultant reelconfiguration is moved into the reel display window to take the place ofthe original array.

In one arrangement a moving graphic object may be rendered to display106 such that the graphic object appears to be thrown at or projectedtowards the reel display window. The graphic object, which may, forexample, be a ball or a stone, appears to strike the reel display windowand shatter the window as if it were made of glass. The object may bethrown by an animated character or projected from another graphic objectsuch as a catapult or cannon.

In one arrangement of the game, a player may need to accumulate graphicobjects such as stones or balls in order to be eligible to replace thedisplayed symbol array. Thus, for example, the player may purchase oneor more stones that the player may then choose to activate in order toshatter a reel display window and reveal a further symbol array.Alternatively or additionally, the player may win graphic objects suchas balls or stones in the course of play. The player may thus accumulatean armoury of objects to use in shattering displayed symbol arrays.

It will be appreciated that other animation sequences may be used todelete a currently displayed symbol array in order to create room forthe display of a further symbol array on the resultant reelconfiguration. For example, the existing symbol array may be erasedusing an eraser. The symbols may also appear to be set alight and, oncethey have been incinerated, the next symbol array may move intoposition.

The embodiment in which the reel display window is shattered isillustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

FIG. 7 shows a symbol array 700 made up of 3 symbols on each of 5 reels.In the example, the player is eligible to replace the displayed symbolarray and FIG. 7 illustrates the effect of a graphic object 705 havingbeen thrown at the reel display window. Arrow 704 depicts the apparenttrajectory of the object 705 across the display. Cracks 702 appear inthe reel display window and pieces of glass fall away until theshattered symbol array disappears.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation 800 of the adjacent symbol arrayfrom the resultant reel configuration moving downwards to appear in thereel display window on display 106.

FIG. 9 shows the resultant symbol array 900. In the example the middlerow of the symbol array consists of 5 queens, which is a winningcombination.

While the foregoing description has been provided by way of example ofthe preferred embodiments of the present invention as presentlycontemplated, which utilise gaming machines of the type found incasinos, those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that thepresent invention also may have application to internet gaming and/orhave application to gaming over a telecommunications network, wherehandsets are used to display game outcomes and receive player inputs.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integershaving known equivalents, then those equivalents are hereby incorporatedherein as if individually set forth.

Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that modificationsand additions to the embodiments of the present invention may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in thisspecification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more ofthe individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings.All of these different combinations constitute various alternativeaspects of the invention.

It will also be understood that the term “comprises” (or its grammaticalvariants) as used in this specification is equivalent to the term“includes” and should not be taken as excluding the presence of otherelements or features.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments and/or aspects without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The presentembodiments and aspects are, therefore, to be considered in all respectsas illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments are describedabove with reference to the drawings. These drawings illustrate certaindetails of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methodsand programs of the present invention. However, describing the inventionwith drawings should not be construed as imposing on the invention anylimitations associated with features shown in the drawings. The presentinvention contemplates methods, systems and program products on anyelectronic device and/or machine-readable media suitable foraccomplishing its operations. Certain embodiments of the presentinvention may be implemented using an existing computer processor and/orby a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or anotherpurpose or by a hardwired system, for example.

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include programproducts comprising machine-readable media for carrying or havingmachine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Suchmachine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with aprocessor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may compriseRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and whichcan be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer orother machine with a processor. When information is transferred orprovided over a network or another communications connection (eitherhardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to amachine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readablemedium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termed amachine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also includedwithin the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executableinstructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

1. A method for use with a gaming machine that is arranged to provide aspinning reel game in which symbols are spun up on a plurality of reels,each reel having an associated sequence of symbols, and an award isawarded if a winning combination occurs, the method comprising: spinningthe reels to provide a resultant reel configuration; displaying a symbolarray from the resultant reel position in a reel display portion of adisplay, wherein the award is awarded if the winning combination occursin the reel display portion; and replacing the displayed symbol array inthe reel display portion with a further symbol array from the resultantreel configuration.
 2. A method according to claim 1 comprising checkingwhether one or more eligibility criteria are satisfied, wherein saidreplacing of the symbol array is contingent on the satisfaction of theeligibility criteria.
 3. A method according to claim 2 comprisingrepeating said replacing step if the eligibility criteria are satisfied.4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said replacing step is repeateduntil the entire sequence of symbols associated with at least one of thereels has been displayed in the reel display portion.
 5. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein said replacing comprises: simulatingshattering of the symbol array currently displayed in the reel displayportion; and displaying the further symbol array in the reel displayportion.
 6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the further symbolarray is adjacent to the shattered symbol array in the resultant reelconfiguration.
 7. A method according to claim 5 in which said simulatedshattering comprises initiating a trajectory of at least one graphicobject towards the reel display portion.
 8. A method according to claim7 comprising accumulating graphic objects for use in shattering thesymbol array.
 9. A method according to claim 2 wherein the eligibilitycriteria are selected from the group consisting of: a player placing anante-bet before the reels are spun; the player purchasing a right toreplace the displayed symbol array; the occurrence of a triggeringoutcome in the displayed symbol array; the accumulation of one or moregraphic objects for use in shattering the symbol array; and theoccurrence of a randomly-triggered entitlement.
 10. A gaming machinehaving a display and a game controller arranged to control images ofsymbols displayed on the display, the game controller being arranged toprovide a spinning reel game in which symbols are spun up on a pluralityof reels, each reel having an associated sequence of symbols, and toaward an award if a winning combination occurs, the game controllerarranged to: spin the reels to provide a resultant reel configuration;display a symbol array from the resultant reel position in a reeldisplay portion of the display, wherein the award is awarded if thewinning combination occurs in the reel display portion; and replace thedisplayed symbol array in the reel display portion with a further symbolarray from the resultant reel configuration.
 11. A computer programproduct comprising machine-readable program code recorded on amachine-readable recording medium controlling operation of a dataprocessing apparatus on which the program code executes to perform amethod for use with a gaming machine that is arranged to provide aspinning reel game in which symbols are spun up on a plurality of reels,each reel having an associated sequence of symbols, and an award isawarded if a winning combination occurs, the method comprising: spinningthe reels to provide a resultant reel configuration; displaying a symbolarray from the resultant reel position in a reel display portion of adisplay, wherein the award is awarded if the winning combination occursin the reel display portion; and replacing the displayed symbol array inthe reel display portion with a further symbol array from the resultantreel configuration.
 12. A method according to claim 11 comprisingchecking whether one or more eligibility criteria are satisfied, whereinsaid replacing of the symbol array is contingent on the satisfaction ofthe eligibility criteria.
 13. A method according to claim 12 comprisingrepeating said replacing step if the eligibility criteria are satisfied.14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said replacing step isrepeated until the entire sequence of symbols associated with at leastone of the reels has been displayed in the reel display portion.
 15. Amethod according to claim 11 wherein said replacing comprises:simulating shattering of the symbol array currently displayed in thereel display portion; and displaying the further symbol array in thereel display portion.
 16. A method according to claim 15 wherein thefurther symbol array is adjacent to the shattered symbol array in theresultant reel configuration.
 17. A method according to claim 15 inwhich said simulated shattering comprises initiating a trajectory of atleast one graphic object towards the reel display portion.
 18. A methodaccording to claim 17 comprising accumulating graphic objects for use inshattering the symbol array.
 19. A method according to claim 12 whereinthe eligibility criteria are selected from the group consisting of: aplayer placing an ante-bet before the reels are spun; the playerpurchasing a right to replace the displayed symbol array; the occurrenceof a triggering outcome in the displayed symbol array; the accumulationof one or more graphic objects for use in shattering the symbol array;and the occurrence of a randomly-triggered entitlement.
 20. A computerprogram product comprising machine-readable program code recorded on amachine-readable recording medium controlling operation of a dataprocessing apparatus on which the program code executes to provide agaming controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on agaming machine display, the game controller being arranged to provide aspinning reel game in which symbols are spun up on a plurality of reels,each reel having an associated sequence of symbols, and to award anaward if a winning combination occurs, the game controller arranged to:spin the reels to provide a resultant reel configuration; display asymbol array from the resultant reel position in a reel display portionof the display, wherein the award is awarded if the winning combinationoccurs in the reel display portion; and replace the displayed symbolarray in the reel display portion with a further symbol array from theresultant reel configuration.